Bridle-bit.



PATBNTED OUT. 25, 1904.

H. A. SIEVERT.

BRIDLE BIT.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.27. 1904.

N0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES Patented October 25, 1904.

HERMANN A. SIEVERT, OF WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON.

BRlDLE-BIT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 773,429, dated October 25, 1904. Application filed February 27, 1904. Serial No. 195,642. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMANN A. SIEVERT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of \Valla IValla, in the county of Walla Walla and State of I/Vashington, have invented a new and Improved Bridle-Bit, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to bridle-bits; and it consists. substantially, in the construction and combinations of parts hereinafter particularly described, and pointed out in the claims.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a bridle-bit capable of being used as a curb-bit and a snaffle-bit, either singly or combined, and also to overcome numerous disadvantages and inconveniences common to many forms of bridle-bits hitherto devised.

A further object is to provide a bridle-bit of the character referred to which is simple in the construction and organization of parts constituting the same, besides being comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and possessing the capacity for long and repeated service. r

The above'and additional objects are attained by means substantially such as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which simi. lar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is substantially a front elevation of my improved bridle-bit. Fig. 2 is a side view thereof. Fig. 3 is a view in elevation looking at the structure from the upper end thereof. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of the connecting-yoke employed between the lower ends of the branches or side pieces of the bit. Fig. 6 is a plan view representing several different sizes of links which may be employed for uniting the inner ends of the snafliesections of the curb-bit and a snafl'le-bit of special construction and operation,the two being cooperatively organized in such manner as to be capable of connection between such ends and the branches before mentioned, the said sections being provided with rings for the connection therewith of the usual reins and straps, while the yoke referred to is also provided with means for connection therewith of a third rein for operating upon the curb-bit when desired.

I have herein represented my improvements in a certain preferred embodiment; but it will be understood, of course, that I am not limited to the precise details. thereof in practice, since immaterial changes therein may be resorted to coming within the scope of my invention.

Specific reference being had to the drawings by the designating characters marked thereon, 1 1 representthe branches or side pieces of the curb-bit structure, the same being practically duplicates and each being formed at the upper end thereof with an enlargement 2, having therein an opening 3, in which is insert-ed and held a hook, ring, or other device 4: or 4, to which is secured an end of the curb strap or chain 5. (See Figs. 1, 2, and 8.) The lower ends of said branches or side pieces are connected by means of a yoke I and having end portions 8 passing through openings therefor in said lower ends of the branches, the longer parallel portions 9 of the yoke being contracted or brought together and secured substantially centrally of the length thereof, as indicated at 10. and carried by the yoke at this point is a ring 11, to which attachment may be made of one end of a third rein, (not shown,) whizh may be carried around in any suitable manner and attached to some part of the harness-say to the pommel of a riding-saddle-to be taken hold of by constructed, preferably. of a single piece.

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the operator for the purpose of applying the curb in the usual manner. The yoke 7 by its construction also serves to strengthen and brace the said lower ends of the branches or side pieces, as is apparent. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I may also attach to the lower por tion of each branch or side piece substantially a D-shaped loop 12 for the purpose of using a double rein, (not shown,) if desired, in lieu of the third rein referred to, it being understood that the term third has been employed to signify the use of another rein besides the habitual operating-reins (also not shown) for snaflie action, which are generally fastened in the rings 16, to which also the check-pieces of the usual bridle are attached. The enlargements 2 of the branches or side pieces 1 are also formed with circular openings 12, in which are received and supported in a universal manner the spherical heads 13, formed with or attached to the outer ends of the snafiie-sections 1 of the bit structure, the inner ends of these sections being preferably flattened and perforated, as shown, to receive the hook portions of substantially an S-shaped connecting-link 15 therefor, the said sections being also provided near their outer ends with rings 16, to which attachment may be made of the usual operating-reins (not shown) hereinbefore referred to. The openings 12 of the branches or side pieces 1 are of slightlygreater diameter than the maximum diameter of said spherical heads 13 of the snafflesections, (see Fig. 7), and applied to the opposite sides of the enlargement 2 of each branch or side piece are flat disks 17, havingopenings therein somewhat less in diameter than the said openings 12, the edges of said openings 17 being beveled inwardly, as shown at 18. From this construction it will be seen that the curb-bit structure may be operated independently of the snaiiie-bit structure, and vice versa, and also that the two said structures may be operated combinedly or at the same time, if so desired. A minimum of friction results from the described spherical connection between the branches and the snaffie-sections, as is apparent, and the operation of the entire embodiment is most effective and reliable.

Accordingly as it may be desired to lengthen or shorten the mouthpiece formed bythe two snaffle-sections, a longer or shorter connecting-link 15 may be employed, and instead of employing a curb-strap, as herein shown, 1

may employ any suitable form of cu rb-chain, also as is apparent.

In the use of a combination-bit structure of the character herein set forth all injury to the jaws and tongueof a horse is avoided, since the snaffle-sections will not rise in the mouth of the animal on operating the curb-bit structure, due to the universal connection between the branches and the said sections. Other advantages of the general embodiment will be fully apparent without further elucidation, although it may be added that my improved combination bit is intended more especially for use when riding in the saddle.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new an I desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A bridle-bit comprising a snaiiie structure and a curb structure, and ball-and-socket connectors between said structures.

2. A bridle-bit comprising a snafiie structure and a curb structure, a ball carried at each. end of the snaflie structure, and coacting sockets carried by the curb structure.

3. A bridle-bit comprising side branches, a yoke connecting the lower ends thereof, constructed of parallel members brought together at their central portions, and a ring held by said portions.

4:. A bridle-bit comprising a snafiie structure, side branches having universal connection therewith, a curb connecting the upper ends of the branches, and a yoke connecting the lower ends thereof, said yoke being constructed of parallel members brought together at their central portions and provided at such portions with a ring.

5. A bridle-bit comprising spherical heads at the ends thereof, side branches having openings in their upper end portionsin which said heads are partially received, said openings being of greater diameters than the maximum diameters of the heads, and disks on either side of each of said end portions, having openings in which the heads are also partially received, said latter openings being less in diameter than the maximum diameters ofsaid heads, and having the edges thereof beveled.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HERMANN A. SIEVERT.

Witnesses:

JOHN L. SHARPsTnIN, FRANK B. SHARPSTEIN. 

